Hope everyone enjoyed yesterday's stellar weather.
- Maryland bike advocates, including Natasha Pettigrew's mother, are pushing for tougher vehicular manslaughter laws. Delegate Luiz Simmons has offered a new bill, HB 363, that would help achieve this goal. "HB 363 “Manslaughter by Vehicle or Vessel – Criminal Negligence: provides a misdemeanor option for those who cause fatalities by driving in a criminally negligent manner. If found guilty, motorists will be subject to imprisonment not to exceed 3 years and/or a fine not to exceed $5000."
- Patapsco Valley State Park allows for bike commuters after dark, if they sign a waiver. Seems like a reasonable solution.
- Bike theft is up at Georgetown University. Cable locks are being targeted. There were 30 bike thefts in 2009 and 44 bike thefts in 2010, according to DPS crime log archives. Campus police are taking measures to address the recent surge in bike thefts, Smith said. "DPS has stepped up its uniform patrols of the bike racks and plans to take other operational measures as well," Smith said in an email.
- Big Bear Cafe had a charity bike sale to raise money for Bikes for the World.
- The new Wal-Mart on NY Avenue will have bike parking, which would be more exciting if they weren't required to by law.
- Speaking of bike parking, Laurel's city hall now has a custom bike rack.
- Tysons bike plan meetings are over and the plan will now be submitted.
Phase one includes new signed bike routes that connect Vienna, McLean and Falls Church to Tysons, and will also add more signage to bike routes that already exist. This phase also calls for a Bike and Transit Ambassador program that will encourage more people that live and work in Tysons to use bikes for transportation. The phase also calls for the construction of a small trail that will connect the Pimmit Hills and Idylwood neighborhoods to the Tysons Central metro station. Sidewalks along Anderson Road and Dolley Madison Boulevard will also be widened to create side paths that cyclists from McLean can use to access the Silver Line.
New trails won't be created until phase two of the plan (2012-2016), which will also mark the expansion of the on-street bicycle network with shared road lanes. Streets that typically have low traffic flows will be marked with sharrows, on-street symbols that indicate to motorists to share the lane with bicyclists. Traditional bike lanes are also planned.
Phase three (2015-2019) will add 5.6 miles of trail improvement and several shared-use paths, including one shared-use path connecting 123 to Boone Boulevard. Phase four (2020-2030) will add “Cycle Tracks,” roadways specifically constructed for bicyclists and not vehicles. Similar tracks are currently installed in some parts of New York City.
The National Christmas Tree was toppled today by the strong winds. NPS will plant a replacement in a few weeks.
It might be a good idea to avoid riding today, at least until the strong winds calm down a bit. Or at least stay off the bridges and other exposed areas. 60 mph wind gusts are serious business.
Posted by: Michael H. | February 19, 2011 at 03:59 PM
Hey, whatever happened in the Pettigrew case? Last I heard it was an open investigation, and because it's MD I wouldn't be surprised if no charges are filed, but it would be nice to close the story.
If it's closed, that is...
Posted by: DaveS | February 20, 2011 at 03:03 PM
@DaveS - The case is still open. I've talked with Kenniss Henry, Natasha Pettigrew's mother, and she's been told the investigation could take up to a year. In the meantime, I've been working with her on supporting HB 363: http://www.change.org/petitions/no-more-senseless-bicycle-deaths
Posted by: Jess Leber | February 22, 2011 at 08:59 AM